Yes. It was a big deal in my family growing up. We weren't thinking about violent colonialism, though we should have been. Many people I knew were either descended from Irish or Italian immigrants. St Patrick's Day for the Irish, Columbus Day for the Italians.
I’m not sure the day should be banned as in some cities. Things need to be remembered or their significance is forgotten and oft times repeated.
One of my favourite quotes from The Fugitive talking about Chigaco on St Patrick’s Day; “If they can dye this river green today, then why can't they dye it blue the other 364 days of the year?"
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